KANUBARI, 10 Sep: A two-day awareness programme on scientific pig farming and biosecurity, and a vaccination trial at farmers' fields wereconducted in the Kanubari area of Longding district from 9-10 September.

The programme was organised by the National Research Centre on Pig (NRCP), Guwahati, in collaboration with the Longding Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), with the objective of creating awareness among tribal pig farmers about scientific pig-rearing practices, disease prevention, biosecurity, and vaccination.

As part of the programme, a field trial of an indigenous Porcine Circovirus Type 2d (PCV2d) vaccine candidate developed by the NRCP was initiated in 48 post-weaning piglets aged 3-4 weeks under field conditions at the farmers' doorsteps.

NRCP Director Dr Vivek Kumar Gupta in his message to the participating farmers emphasised the importance of maintaining proper biosecurity, timely vaccination, disease prevention, and scientific pig-rearing practices for improving pig health and productivity.

The programme was led by NRCP senior scientist Dr Rajib Deb, in association with Longding KVK ACTO (Animal Science) Dr Tilling Tayo.

During the programme, the farmers were sensitised to important aspects of scientific pig farming, including farm hygiene, disease prevention, vaccination, proper feeding, and biosecurity measures.

As part of the outreach initiative, pig-rearing inputs were distributed to the pig farmers under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) of the NRCP, with the support and guidance of principal scientist and TSP in-charge Dr Pranab Jyoti Das.